Senior Pastor

EARLY LIFE

Bishop Lambert Wade Gates, Sr., was born October 31, 1958, in Detroit, Michigan, the youngest of eight children born to Leroy, Sr., and Elise Anna Wade Gates. When he was six months old his mother died, and from the age of two, was raised by his father and stepmother Minnie Gates. He credits his stepmother with keeping him in church as a youth and diligently instructing him in the ways of the Lord. His father, to him a "wise counselor and friend," instilled in him strong Christian values and the importance of being the best at whatever he would be in life. Educated in the Detroit Public School system, he graduated with honors at the age of 16 in 1975. He continued his education, attending the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in 1980. Soon after, he began his professional career as a high school English teacher in Detroit.

FAITH AND MINISTRY

Bishop Gates was baptized at age seven, and filled with the Holy Ghost on March 28, 1970, at the age of 11, at Clinton Street Greater Bethlehem Temple in Detroit. His ministerial career began in 1975 when he preached his first sermon, Great is Thy Faithfulness, in Ferndale, Michigan. He joined Apostolic Faith Temple (Now Greater Apostolic Faith Temple [GAFT]) in 1978, cultivating a close relationship with the pastor, Bishop Nemiah Smith, and serving in various positions. During this phase of his ministry he also became established as an evangelist. In 1984, upon becoming an ordained minister of the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith (PCAF), he was appointed assistant pastor at GAFT. In August 1996, in acknowledgement of his ministerial achievements at the local and national levels, the PCAF appointed him to the office of bishop. He was consecrated a year later. As diocesan bishop of the 7th Episcopal District, he founded the Indiana State Conference, a ministry of training, evangelism, worship, and fellowship. Bishop Gates attained his highest office to date when he was consecrated as the assistant presiding bishop of the Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith at its 2008 national convention in Indianapolis.

PASTORATE

On August 25, 1988, Bishop Gates was elected to the pastorate of Mt. Zion Apostolic Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, succeeding the late Bishop James O. Franklin. He was officially installed on December 11, 1988. In October 2007, he assumed full leadership of Greater Apostolic Faith Temple in Detroit when he was elected senior pastor following the death of his longtime friend and father in the gospel, Bishop Nemiah Smith. Described as a “prophet-sharing” program, his distinction as one pastor in two locations attests to the call on his life for expansive ministry. He believes in a holistic approach, structuring the ministries of each church to deal with the tripartite nature of man; that is, spirit, soul, and body. He is an outstanding teacher of the Word of God, and is a nationally known speaker whose ministry is in constant demand. He is seen internationally via Internet on Streaming Faith, and in the Detroit and Indianapolis areas on the jointly sponsored Victory through Praise telecast services. In addition, he is heard on radio stations in Detroit and Indianapolis.

FAMILY AND PERSONAL INTERESTS

Bishop Gates’ personal interests include traveling, baseball, spending time with his sons, enjoying fine foods, and studying powerful books on leadership. He and his wife, Nancy Franklin Gates, reside in Fishers, Indiana. They are the parents of Lambert Wade, Jr., and Cameron David Gates.

…built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.